Have you ever wanted to fight for some of the less privileged people in a different part of the world, say Africa, but could not do so because you did not have the resources? If the answer is yes, a public interest lawyer is what you should probably opt for. There are many people who really feel sorry for the conditions and the treatment given to less privileged people. If you are really keen on working for less privileged people, go for a public interest law firm.
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A public interest lawyer fights for the rights of less privileged people. He/she works to get positive results for a majority of people and thrives hard to give them their moral rights. The job profile of a public interest law firm includes fighting for prisoners and labors. You, as a public interest lawyer, might also be required to fight for the betterment of the living conditions of women. For you, a public interest job is not just a profession but a way to legalize those things that are morally correct. You must be able to identify the ill treatments meted out on the under privileged people. Your profile also includes having to fight against the age old myths or some irrational religious beliefs. Another important aspect that has been added in the work profile of a public interest lawyer is fighting to enforce environment friendly laws. One important distinction to be considered is that working to enforce government laws does not get included in public interest jobs. As a matter of fact, at times, these lawyers work against federal laws to fight for the welfare of the general public. A lawyer working with a federal or government authority who ensures that all the laws deployed take care of the interests of the general public in every sense can qualify as a public interest lawyer. Other areas which these lawyers deal with are the pro/anti-abortion related issues, fighting against the death penalties, and other such issues.
To get into a public interest law firm, the qualifications required are quite similar to what you require to become any other lawyer. You can complete your undergraduate course from any renowned institution. Try to maintain excellent grades as there is huge competition in this field. Most law schools give admission based on your law school admission test (LSAT). The duration for law graduation is 3 years. After completing this, you can do a specialization in public interest law.
You must have excellent writing and reading skills. Also, having good oratory skills is essential. It is only by writing and reading that you can make your point in front of the concerned people. A public interest lawyer is expected to be able to draft documents and carry out press releases. You must be dynamic and politically aware about what is happening around you. You must have analytical skills to identify the root causes of a problem. Open mindedness and creativity will help you go a long way. Fluency in English and knowing a foreign language will certainly help. It is essential to have passion for justice. The very idea of helping an individual or a large group should excite you.
While you are studying, try getting an internship with a law firm. Before working full time in a public interest law firm, you can consider assisting a senior lawyer in deriving information or drafting documents for him. This will also help you to be well versed with all the laws specific to that particular state or country.
Public interest jobs are not as lucrative as some of the other jobs. Corporate lawyers or government lawyers on average make more money than public interest lawyers. Initially, lawyers new to this profession draw a salary around $40,000 annually. This figure rises to around $50,000 annually with experience. There are lawyers who earn roughly around $65,000 but that is only after 10-15 years of experience.
This profession is expected to grow at the same rate as other professions. You might get opportunities to travel to new and different places to fight for the people of that region. You will also get good exposure at an international level if you are fighting for a major cause. You can also get a chance to work with big companies to help them obtain licenses for activities which may be unfavorable to the environment.
To tell a big story in short, the world requires a public interest lawyer. Of all the different types of lawyers, these lawyers have the highest job satisfaction.
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